Bridges over “untroubled” scenic waters

By Nancy Miller Chenier

Water, water – all around us. Well, maybe not all around but with the Rideau River on one side, the Ottawa River on the other, and the Rideau Canal nearby, our bridges have facilitated the movement of workers, shoppers, merchandise, and even royalty. Through time, they connected federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions, and provided spectacular views of the beauty around us. Every bridge has a significant story, but here just a fun fact for each one will have to suffice.

Ottawa River Bridges

Alexandra or Interprovincial Bridge: Constructed between 1898 and 1900 as a railway bridge connecting Ontario and Quebec, the bridge also carried pedestrians, vehicles, and streetcars. When constructed, the bridge was a significant engineering achievement lauded as the longest in Canada, the fourth-longest in the world, and the first to carry royalty in the person of the future King George IV.

Macdonald-Cartier Bridge: This bridge was built between 1963 and 1965 to serve as the primary (and now often congested) transportation route connecting Ontario and Quebec autoroutes. Demolitions across Lowertown accompanied the creation of the multilane road access to the bridge. The original Patro d’Ottawa, multiple homes on streets like McGee on the east and Redpath on the west, and the King Edward green boulevard disappeared into history.

Rideau River Bridges

Bytown Bridges: This connection between Lowertown and New Edinburgh existed as early as 1846 and in 1853, Lord Elgin, Governor General of Canada, crossed this route for a short stay at Rideau Hall with Thomas McKay. In 1954, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, officially named the Bytown Bridges and today they are a significant part of the Sussex Drive ceremonial route.

Minto Bridges: The Ottawa Improvement Commission, precursor of the National Capital Commission, contracted the building of the ornate Minto bridges. Completed between 1900 and 1902 and named for the Earl of Minto, then Governor General of Canada, they were part of the early ceremonial route from Rideau Hall along King Edward Avenue to Parliament Hill.

Island Lodge Bridge: In 1960, acting on Mayor Charlotte Whitton’s goal of care for elderly citizens, Island Lodge Road connected Lowertown with the two early seniors’ residences on Porter’s Island. With the bridge included as part of the current $24 million upgrade along St. Patrick Street, the resulting traffic headaches may be appeased by future public art from the eligible municipal capital construction budget.

Porter’s Island Heritage Bridge: Just a little distance upstream from the Island Lodge Bridge, the 1894 heritage designated bridge that initially connected to the island’s smallpox hospitals stands abandoned. Currently owned by the City of Ottawa, it is in danger of demolition by neglect.

St. Patrick Bridge: Initially called the Ottawa Bridge, the name changed to St. Patrick in 1912 when Ottawa Street east of King Edward Avenue became part of St. Patrick Street. The increased traffic along the St. Patrick arterial to the Macdonald Cartier Bridge led to a wider bridge to accommodate the interprovincial traffic. The bridge is currently getting a $24 million upgrade so stay tuned to see 1% of this budget go to some public art integrated along the site.

Cummings Bridge: From 1836, a bridge connected Rideau Street to Montreal Road. In the 1890s, a steel bridge replaced the toll bridge operated by the Cummings family. An attempt to rename the new bridge after future mayor, Samuel Bingham, met active resistance from many residents (apparently a plaque with his name ended up in the river!) and the name Cummings endured. 

Rideau Canal Bridge

Plaza Bridge: This bridge over the Rideau Canal connecting Rideau Street and Lowertown with Wellington Street follows a similar path to Sapper’s Bridge built in 1827 by the British Royal Sappers and Miners. The stones recovered from this early bridge mark the site of Colonel By’s family home in Major’s Hill Park.

Our bridges remind us of our history, link us with other communities, and provide amazing scenic views. Each one has multiple distinctive stories that span generations of Lowertown inhabitants. They are significant landmarks, providing memories that sustain our sense of place as well as many opportunities for taking time to look at our beautiful surroundings.